POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Writer-Editor
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5005
GRADE 42
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, Creative Services
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Writer-Editor of the Creative Services uses invention, imagination, originality, and talent to develop, write, and edit materials for print and electronic publications such as magazines, brochures, booklets, ads, and posters. The Writer-Editor writes feature stories in a journalistic style as well as action-oriented marketing copy in a persuasive style. The Writer-Editor proofreads original copy, as well as copy provided by clients for university brand standards, readability and grammatical correctness. The Writer-Editor works closely with the Assistant Director of Creative Services-Editorial and the Senior Writer-Editor of Creative Services to determine workload, text needs related to university goals, and matters concerning editorial style and format.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor’s degree in English, marketing, advertising, communication, journalism, public relations or a related area is required. The degree must be granted prior to the start of the position.
Experience: At least one year of work experience in a professional writing position in a marketing environment or a creative setting, or a minimum of three semesters of experience in a part-time position in a professional setting is required.
Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Strong proofreading and editing skills are required. Organizational and planning skills are required. The ability to effectively contribute to a high volume of complex projects is required. Knowledge of word processing is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Other: The scope of the job requires some infrequent evening and weekend work, depending on university needs (i.e., attending a graduation). Rarely, overnight or out-of-town travel may be required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Promotes the university to prospective students and encourages them to apply, visit or take other action. Uses imagination, originality and talent to prepare copy for recruitment publications.2. Promotes the university to alumni, donor and external audiences and encourages them to give back, attend events or otherwise engage with the university. Uses imagination, originality and talent to prepare copy for advancement publications.
3. Assists in writing and editing materials for Creative Services projects and ensures accuracy and completeness of the final product.
4. Researches creative trends in the marketplace and applies that knowledge to university brand messaging.
5. Assures all content written by them, or provided by clients, is consistent with university guidelines for readability, brand standards and grammatical correctness.
6. Develops content by conferring with university clients and using project management software.
7. Supports the office of Creative Services by maintaining project management files, working with other staff members as part of a team and assisting in the supervision of any relevant student employees.
8. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
9. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses and attending training, conferences and/or courses as directed by the Director of Creative Services.
10. Contributes to the overall success of the Division of Marketing and Communications by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Writer-Editor is supervised and assessed at the top levels by the Director of Creative Services. The Writer-Editor is assigned most content, and their text is edited, by the Assistant Director of Creative Services-Editorial and/or the Senior Writer-Editor of Creative Services, depending on the project.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JUNE 2023